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Administration Gives Conditional Approval for Shell to Drill in Arctic

Administration Gives Conditional Approval for Shell to Drill in Arctic

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration gave conditional approval on Monday for Shell Gulf of Mexico, Inc. to start drilling for oil and gas in the Arctic Ocean this summer.

The approval is a major victory for Shell and the rest of the petroleum industry, which has sought for years to drill in the remote waters of the Chukchi seas, which are believed to hold vast reserves of oil and gas.

'We have taken a thoughtful approach to carefully considering potential exploration in the Chukchi Sea, recognizing the significant environmental, social and ecological resources in the region and establishing high standards for the protection of this critical ecosystem, our Arctic communities, and the subsistence needs and cultural traditions of Alaska Natives,' Abigail Ross Hopper, director of the Interior Department’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, said in a statement. 'As we move forward, any offshore exploratory activities will continue to be subject to rigorous safety standards.'"